Manuel Hassassian

Manuel Hassassian

In 2005: "Congratulations to Professor Manuel Hassassian, Executive Vice President of Bethlehem University, on his appointment as Ambassador/Palestinian General Delegate to the United Kingdom by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"Born in Jerusalem and educated at the College des Frères, Professor Manuel Hassassian left his homeland for brief periods after his high school years to pursue his higher education, earning his BA in Political Science from the American University of Beirut in 1975, his MA in International Relations from Toledo University, Ohio, U.S.A. in 1976 and his PhD in Comparative Politics from University of Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. in 1986.

"Professor Manuel Hassassian served Bethlehem University and the Palestinian people with distinction for twenty five years. He is a dynamic professor of political science and has demonstrated brilliant leadership in several key administrative roles at the University: Dean of Students, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Chair of the Humanities Department and for the past nine years as the Executive Vice President, during which time he also served as the President of the Rectors' Conference of the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education and President of the Palestinian-European-American Cooperation in Education (PEACE) program...

"In addition to the many demands on his time with senior administrative responsibilities at Bethlehem University, during his tenure at Bethlehem University Professor Hassassian made significant scholarly contributions in the field of political science with the publication of over 100 reviews, articles and chapters, including Palestinian Political Culture, Civic Society and the Concept of Citizenship, The Transformation of Palestinian Civil Society and its Role in Developing Democratic Trends in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Historical Justice and Compensation for Palestinian Refugees. Professor Hassassian also served the Palestinian people as a consultant to the Higher Ministerial Committee for Church Affairs, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, UNESCO, the Palestinian Negotiating Team on Refugee Final Settlement, the Orient House P.L.O. Office in Jerusalem as Chief Political Advisor to the late Mr. Faysal Husseini, Minister of State Affairs – Head of the Jerusalem File, and the Ministerial Commission on Refugees, among others.

"Among his academic awards and honors, Professor Hassassian was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (Docteur Honoris Causa) by the University of Reims, France, and nominated by the Center of International Development and Conflict Management, University of Maryland, for the Gleitzman Middle East Award.

"Bethlehem University has been blessed with Professor Hassassian’s local and international relationships. He has always been a strong advocate for the University and its needs with the friends and supporters of the University throughout the world.

"Prof. Manuel Hassassian will soon take up the most significant responsibilities of serving the Palestinian people as the Ambassador/Palestinian General Delegate to the United Kingdom, succeeding Ambassador Afif Safieh who has been appointed the Ambassador/Palestinian General Delegate to the United States of America. A ceremony of tribute and gratitude for Professor Hassassian will take place at Bethlehem University at 11:00am on Thursday, 10 November 2005.   More details will follow – and will be posted to the University's web site:  www.bethlehem.edu."


 * International Advisory Council, Youth Advocate Program International
 * Board of Sponsors, Palestine-Israel Journal